A man of rare poetic honesty, Whitleymaintained a resolute musical integrity throughout his career. His more than a dozen albums range from raw-boned folk-rock to lush electro-blues.
Whitley was born in Houston, Texas. Though relatively unknown to the mainstream, he worked with many top named musicians throughout his career. In 1991, U2/Peter Gabriel producer Daniel Lanois and his protégé, Malcolm Burn, recorded Whitley's debut album Living With the Law (Malcolm Burn also produced 2005's Soft Dangerous Shores). In 2000, Whitley worked with Chris Wood and Billy Martin from the famed trio of Medeski, Martin and Wood, on the Perfect Day album. Others like Dave Matthews and Bruce Hornsby also appeared on 2001's Rocket House.
Whitley played a unique brand of confessional acoustic and electric blues, mixed with inspired modern rock. His lyrics often contained overt sexual references and sometimes bordered on the surreal. An avid fan of jazz saxophone legend John Coltrane, Whitley was a master of the National / Dobro, made famous by many of the great Mississippi delta blues players of the 1930's. Whitley also appeared in the concert documentary Hellhounds on my Trail - The Afterlife of Robert Johnson, with Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir, Fleetwood Mac co-founder Peter Green, jam band Gov't Mule, and blues guitarist Keb' Mo. In addition to recording his original material, Whitley has also guested on albums by Mike Watt, Rob Wasserman, Cassandra Wilson, Dave Pirner (of Soul Asylum) and Shawn Colvin.
"The notable constant has been the quality of craftmanship, and the consistent question of how Whitley's combination of super songs, muscular-but-poetic lyrics, athletic voice and rock-god guitar work hasn't earned him a wider audience." - Detroit Free Press
"The post-Hendrix explosion of whammybar wankers hasn't produced a single axeman who can compare to Chris Whitley. His eerie, bluesy voice and American gothic tunes frequently draw attention from the fact that he picks like a pissed off Doc Watson jacked through a Marshall stack" - RollingStone.com
Health and death
In fall 2005, Chris Whitley cancelled his tour due to health issues. Dan Whitley, his brother, revealed on November 11, 2005 that he was "in a comfortable warm home with hospice care at his disposal". Later that week it was revealed that he was terminally ill with lung cancer. On November 20, 2005, his death (at the age of 45) was announced by Dan Whitley and Chris' daughter, Trixie Whitley.
Automatic
Chris Whitley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Automatic love is all I want
End of the day
Automatic love is all I got
To get away
Rounds of lead deliver me today
I got no blood to waste on foreplay
You can make all them incisions
[Chorus]
I come to town, got pistol on my mind
One more bullet proof sister all I find
Don't ask me for directions
I'll offer you no infections
Automatic love is all I want
If you're driving by town
Won't you gun me down
I got no time to waste
I'm her intention bound
Automatic love is all I want
Automatic love is all I got
Newborn, you're such a stranger
When you got no grind with danger
Automatic love is all I want
End of the day
Automatic love is all I got
Get away
[Chorus: x2]
Automatic, automatic love is all I got
The lyrics of Chris Whitley's song "Automatic" give a glimpse into the world of a hardened individual who is seeking the easiest and most efficient form of love. The opening lines, "Automatic love is all I want, end of the day, Automatic love is all I got, to get away," suggest that the singer is jaded and has a desire to escape the complexities of love. Throughout the rest of the song, the singer puts on an air of indifference and toughness, as they talk about having "no blood to waste on foreplay" and carrying a "pistol" around town.
The chorus of "Automatic love is all I want" is repeated throughout the song, driving home the singer's desire for a superficial, emotionless form of love that requires no effort or attachment. The lyrics also touch on the theme of danger as the singer mentions a desire to be "gunned down" and being "intention-bound." It is clear that the singer is not interested in forming any meaningful connections with others and sees love as a means to an end rather than an end in itself.
Overall, "Automatic" is a dark and gritty song that paints a picture of an individual who is jaded and disconnected from others. The repetitive nature of the chorus underscores the singer's desire for something that is easy and thoughtless. The lyrics might also be interpreted as a commentary on the way in which our society sometimes values efficiency and simplicity over emotional connection and complexity.
Line by Line Meaning
Automatic love is all I want
The singer desires a love that is effortless and easy, without the need for complicated emotional connection.
End of the day
After everything that has happened in the day, the singer still desires an automatic love.
Automatic love is all I got
The singer is only able to find shallow or superficial love that lacks any real emotional depth.
To get away
The artist desires an automatic love as a means of escapism from their troubles or pain.
Rounds of lead deliver me today
The artist is surrounded by violence and danger, constantly facing the risk of physical harm.
I got no blood to waste on foreplay
The singer has no time for emotional or physical intimacy, preferring a more direct approach.
You can make all the decisions
The singer is willing to hand over control to their partner, allowing them to take charge of the relationship.
You can make all them incisions
The partner can make all the necessary cuts and decisive actions needed to move forward in the relationship, regardless of the consequences.
I come to town, got pistol on my mind
The artist is focused on violence and danger, constantly on guard and prepared for any potential threats.
One more bullet proof sister all I find
The artist only encounters women who are hardened and unemotional, much like the artist's own persona.
Don't ask me for directions
The singer is not interested in guiding or nurturing anyone.
I'll offer you no infections
The artist will not infect or influence anyone with their own emotional or personal issues.
If you're driving by town
The singer is seeking out trouble or danger, and would welcome someone to attack them.
Won't you gun me down
The singer desires death or physical harm as a way to escape their pain and troubles.
I got no time to waste
The singer is impatient and always on the go, with no time for anything extraneous.
I'm her intention bound
The artist is bound by their desires and intentions, with no room for deviation or change.
Newborn, you're such a stranger
The artist addresses someone new or inexperienced, remarking on their naivety and lack of understanding of the artist's life.
When you got no grind with danger
The singer finds it difficult to connect with someone who does not understand the constant threat of danger and violence in their life.
Automatic, automatic love is all I got
The singer reiterates their desire for a love that is automatic and easy, even though it lacks emotional depth or substance.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS WHITLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert James
Thanks for posting this great song. During his all-too-brief life, Chris Whitley was neglected by the larger public, but he remains a great visionary artist who refused to sell-out. Rest in Peace, Chris.
MrPETER1947
yea, chris whitley is the one artist whose songs have really inspired me to play guitar, he kinda broke the chains that were holding me down, never have i seen an artist as free , a guy like that is incapable of selling his soul to anybody and you can see it. i just wish his family and daughter trixie the best , and thank you chris for helping me go a little further .
Scramblerkidd
Music from the heart. He was truly unique
hiitsjustmee
Man, I miss him. So glad these videos are available.
nomadtraveller100
love this song i saw him at the taping of live at Martyrs. fantastic show!
jimvoos
Saw him many times, I really miss his Electric sets... RIP
Jerry Oliver Mason
I love this man.
Laurie Wood
I loved him a lot.
Derek Kess
it's addictive listening to these song, Unfortunately, artist today have no inspiration and no talent for music🎶 Is this your favorite song from Chris?
IdaPie
so so so so so good